some success today

So this was not the post that I wished to post tonight.  I keep working on gluten free gnocchi and am never statisfied.  I had seen a recipe for gnocchi that had potato and ricotta in them.  I thought that might work better but it did not.  They were not the epic failure I have had with gluten free gnocchi in the past but they were not really worth writing down.  Sometimes though I just have to share my frustration.

I did get the quilt back for a baby quilt I am making done.  The little boy who I am making the quilt for was born the week before the Smallest Short person.  I have just enjoyed being a Grandma Lady and had the most fun this holiday season with family that I have had in a long time.  I have about a third of the quilt quilted right now and will share when it is done.

But this was a success.  And it went together easily.  Now, if gluten free gnocchi would.....

new slips

I have been needing to make myself new slips for months, if not closer to two years.  There is an interesting little thrift store near us.  It is called Texas Art Asylum.  The collect lots of stuff.  Stuff that crafters and artists really like.  I go in there and buy embroidery thread for $0.05 a skein.  I have to give myself a budget when I go in there.  Usually my Beloved is with me and he gets a budget too.

The last time we were there I picked up the end bolt of the green silk in the picture above.  Three yards of silk for $10.  That means I got two silk slips for $5 each.  These are such simple patterns that they do not photography well, but they are lovely.

I am happy.

Happy Valentine's Day Apron

We went camping this weekend.  I took hand sewing with me because we were just too full for me to pull out my hand crank sewing machine.  I found the hand sewing very restful. 

I have been playing with apron design.  I love the pattern from Sense and Sensibility.  Okay, I do not like how much fabric it takes.  Or some of the construction because it is just odd.  I have always tweaked the construction and simplified pieces of it but kept the main body because I really like the fit.  But that four and a half yards of fabric.  That just hurts.  

I played with the design.  I used the skirt from most of my dresses, changed the pockets and waistband, and modified the bodice but kept the princess seaming.  I like how it turned out.

The shape is very similar to a fully princess seamed design but it only uses about two yards of fabric.  Maybe a bit more but I am still playing with the bodice a little bit.  I was able to use fabric from my pile for this without having to go to the fabric store.  I may enough of the small printed green to make another apron.

I really like the back closure because I get so tired of leaning against the knots if it was tied.  It hurts.  I do have this tendency to wear aprons most of the time.  It is one of the few ways I have pockets!

This was actually a present to myself.  My Beloved made me a card today and sharpened all my knives.  Which works for me.  I can tell when my kitchen knives have not been sharpened four days later.  Another knife sharpener my husband knows tells me I am similar to a professional chef.  I just cook a lot and use sharp knives.  Life is too short for dull knives.  

It was a lovely Valentine's day.  There will be more posts about the food we shared.

new linen dress

Last weekend we went off camping.  My Beloved had a hammer-in to go to.  At these events, he networks and is exposed to knew blademaking techniques.  It is a good time for him.  We always try to find a camping spot realitively close.  We did.  I got lots of quiet time, which I obvioulsy needed.  We are going camping with the Tall Short Person and the Smallest Short Person this coming weekend just cause.  It does mean I will be kind of quiet here this week.

Part of my quiet time was finishing the newest linen dress I was making.  I took it on to the camp site with me with just the buttons and buttonholes left to do.  I was able to find the time.

I love this style dress.  I am always surprised how many compliments I get on it.  Much more then shorter styles or sheath styles.  I really do not understand but I do know I can do about anything in it.  I would have to say it is my newest favorite dress.  Especially since I had to retire four dresses to no longer being worn at work.  Soon they will be cut apart to become something else because of how they are wearing.  

This dress is a good one.  I did decide that I have to make a new apron to go with it.  Hopefully, it will be done so I can be doing the hand finishes on the coming camping trip.

a dress for our best friend

I finished a dress for my best friend this morning.  It is a lovely green linen.  A very spring color.  She lives in Colorado so linen may not be something that she can wear currently but it will be nice for around her home or this coming summer.  That is if she ever gets off a movie set.  She is coming to town for less then 24 hours next week so this will be part of her Christmas box.  I am slow but I also wish to be there when she opens her presents.  Most of the time she is in a different state.

I do have to admit that it is nice to get back into a sewing routine, even if it is only ten minutes a day.